Security

Light plays a big part in whether we feel safe outside at night. In poorly-lit areas, faces are harder to recognise, and it can be difficult to tell if someone is lurking in the shadows. Research in Poland found that when walking through an unlit area, almost three quarters of participants feared for their safety.

Reassuring with white light

White light offers new levels of comfort and security. By delivering delivers superior color rendering and a higher perceived brightness, it makes it easier to distinguish objects, colors, shapes and other details. Even from a distance, facial recognition is improved under white light, which helps to remove anxiety. White light also gives the most balanced illumination with no intimidating areas of shadow.

Creating a virtuous circle of security

White light creates a self-perpetuating chain of events – a ‘virtuous circle’ – leading to greater security. If residents feel safer in the streets, they will use them more. With greater numbers of people walking and cycling outside, the streets will become less desolate and more welcoming.

With more people outside, acts of vandalism and crime are discouraged, making the city even more appealing to residents and visitors.

Reducing crime, fighting fear

White light can actually help make society safer. Recent studies strongly suggest that increased lighting and uniformity decreases the fear of crime, and that white light helps to catch criminals.

Combatting crime with light: a comparative study

In 2000, research projects carried out by the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Criminology, investigated the effects of improved street lighting on crime in two urban areas in the UK. In Dudley, crimes decreased by 41% in the experimental area, compared to a 15% decrease in a control area.

In Stoke, crimes decreased by 43% in the experimental area and by 45% in two adjacent areas, compared with a decrease of only 2% in two control areas. The conclusion was that the savings from reduced crimes exceeded the financial costs of the street lighting improvements by between 2.4 and 10 times after one year. The link between crime rates and illumination suggest that the new lights not only help to combat crime, but also pay for themselves by reducing illegal activity.